Abstract: Biodegradable water washable composition in the form of a gel for use in non-destructive ultrasonic inspection of surface and subsurface flaws and discontinuities in bodies, and which is stable and heat resistant, such composition consisting essentially of a (1) a surfactant comprised of certain straight chain, primary, aliphatic oxyalkylated alcohols, particularly biodegradable surfactants comprised of the nonionic condensation products of linear aliphatic alcohols having from 10 to 18 carbon atoms, with ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, preferably in the form of a mixture thereof, such as the material marketed as Plurafac A-24, or in the form of certain ethoxylated secondary alcohols, particularly the biodegradable nonionic surfactants comprised of ethoxylates of a mixture of secondary alcohols having linear alkyl chains of from 11 to 15 carbon atoms, and (2) silica, particularly fumed silica, such silica employed e.g. in a proportion of about 15% by weight of the composition.

Abstract: Fire barrier composition particularly applicable as an acoustic panel-fire wall structure in aircraft, capable of withstanding a 2,000.degree. F. flame temperature, comprising incorporating a silica-containing material such as silicic acid or the reaction product of silicic acid and maleic anhydride, into a resin, particularly a polyimide resin. The resulting silica-containing resin, e.g. silicic acid-filled polyimide, is then applied to a substrate such as graphite fiber or glass cloth, to form a composite structure, which is then cured. The resulting cured composite when subjected to high temperature, e.g. a 2,000.degree. F. flame temperature, forms silicon carbide and/or silicon nitride, in situ, which stabilizes any char that forms.

Abstract: Combination of a nonionic oxyalkylated alcohol surfactant and an engine fuel, e.g. a 50--50 mixture, by volume, of such surfactant and an aircraft engine fuel such as JP-4 jet fuel, consisting essentially of a mixture of gasoline and kerosene, which is miscible both with water-based and oil-based liquids, for removing water or water-based leak tracer solution entrapped in a fuel tank system, e.g. of an aircraft. When employing, for example, an aqueous leak tracer solution introduced into a fuel tank, e.g. of an aircraft, for locating any leaks therein, after inspection and removal of the main body of leak tracer solution from the tank, in order to remove any residual leak tracer solution which remains entrapped in the tank, the invention composition, hereinafter termed a "depuddling agent", is introduced and blends with the residual leak tracer solution, and the resulting miscible mixture is drained from the system.

Abstract: A process and system for obtaining fresh water from salt water such as sea water, by direct contact heat transfer using staged evaporator-condenser units operating with a low boiling water-immiscible liquid hydrocarbon. Each stage comprises a closed vessel divided into two compartments, an evaporator and a condenser, by a bubble cap tray similar in construction to those used in distillation. Relatively hot fresh water is introduced into the liquid hydrocarbon contained in the lower compartment of each stage, causing boiling of the hydrocarbon at a temperature difference of 2.degree.-4.degree. F. Hydrocarbon vapors pass from the evaporator compartment through the bubble caps to the upper condenser compartment where they are condensed in contact with a colder saline stream, and the condensed hydrocarbon is returned to the lower compartment.

Abstract: A flexible, e.g. polyurethane, open cell foam sheet is impregnated with a controlled amount of a liquid polymerizable resin system which cures at ambient temperature, and the resin impregnated sheet is immediately chilled at a suitably reduced temperature, e.g. 40.degree. F. or below, to arrest polymerization or hardening. The resulting resin impregnated sheet is stored at such reduced temperature. When needed for adhesive bonding the chilled resin impregnated sheet, cut to the desired pattern or size, is applied between the surfaces of objects to be bonded, e.g. fiber reinforced polyurethane insulation blocks and plywood strips, or such insulation blocks and the steel hull of a liquid natural gas (LNG) container or marine tanker.

Abstract: A method for fabricating superplastically formed/diffusion bonded structures wherein metal blanks of a titanium alloy are joined at selected areas by diffusion bonding and expanded superplastically to form a desired sandwich or integrally stiffened structure. In such method, the metal blanks are treated in selected areas with a "stopoff" material to prevent bonding at those areas during diffusion bonding and to permit forming or shaping at the same areas during superplastic forming. An improved stopoff compound is provided for this purpose, in the form of yttria of relatively coarse particle size, coarser than 5 microns, in a suitable volatilizable vehicle. Such stopoff compound is inert to reactive metals such as titanium at the high diffusion bonding temperatures, and permits relatively low breakthrough pressure-time product during superplastic forming, thereby preventing excessive strain or rupture of the metal through non-superplastic deformation.

Abstract: A pipeline system particularly designed for transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) comprising a plurality of pipe sections connected together as by welding, each section having an outer pipe or jacket and an inner liquid carrier pipe which is in compression when installed and which is secured at opposite end portions to the outer pipe by connector cones, the outer pipe being placed in tension by the connector cones. To reduce the thermal stress in the carrier pipe and heat leak from the outer to the inner pipe, each of the cones is connected to the inner pipe through a fiber reinforced plastic insulating member, preferably a polyester fiberglass cylinder. Thermal insulation such as polyurethane foam is placed in the annular space between the inner and outer pipes for further resistance to heat flow into the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the purification of glass, obtained by froth flotation from shredded municipal trash; more particularly, the present invention relates to a process for removing aluminum oxide, especially corundum, and silicon carbide particles or stones, of a size greater than 60 mesh, as impurities from the glass. The process comprises subjecting the froth-floated glass to magnetic separation, especially high intensity magnetic separation, such as that produced by employing a high intensity induced roll magnetic separator. Since such impurities function unexpectedly as magnetics in relation to glass, the refractory impurities are removed from the glass during such magnetic separation. The resulting purified glass can then be employed as glass cullet for production of finished glass articles.

Abstract: A front lighted display for an instrument dial face and pointer, including in combination with such dial face and pointer and according to one embodiment, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) positioned around the inner periphery of an LED mounting and directing light rays onto the dial face, a conically shaped reflector positioned to reflect light from the LEDs onto the dial face, a center disc reflector having an LED mounted thereon to enhance illumination of the pointer hub and center area of the dial face presentation, and an LED baffle ring preventing direct viewing of the diodes, and which can have a light reflecting inner surface to redirect light from the LEDs onto the surface of the dial face.

Abstract: Production of composites having increased strength, particularly at elevated temperature, heat resistance and ablative properties, while maintaining low weight, by a process which comprises impregnating fibrous reinforcement, such as a woven fabric of graphite yarns, with a resin, e.g., a phenolic resin, curing the resin to yield a fiber-resin composite, pyrolyzing such composite to convert the resin to a porous carbonaceous matrix, reimpregnating the porous fiber-carbon composite with additional resin, such as a phenolic resin, to fill the pores of the matrix, and curing the reimpregnating resin. The resulting fiber reinforcement-resin matrix-carbon matrix (i.e., bimatrix) composites are particularly useful and valuable as reinforced plastic aerospace components requiring strength at high temperatures and having improved ablative properties.

Abstract: Process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other water containing or hot water sources, which comprises direct contact heat exchange between the brine or hot water, and a working fluid, e.g. n-butane, in a heat transfer column, the heat transfer column being operated in the subcritical pressure region of the working fluid, preferably close to or approaching the apex of the saturated vapor curve for such working fluid on the Mollier enthalpy-entropy diagram for such fluid. The heated working fluid exiting the top of the heat transfer column is expanded through an expander to produce work. The discharge from the expander is cooled to condense working fluid which is separated in an accumulator, from condensed water vapor present in the working fluid, and the condensed working fluid is pressurized and fed back to the heat transfer column. Water from the accumulator can be fed to an H.sub.2 S removal system where good quality water can be recovered.

Abstract: Production of urethane foams of increased fire resistance by mixing an ethylenic, e.g. allyl or vinyl, phosphorus compound with a polyol and polymerizing the polyol with polyisocyanate while simultaneously polymerizing the ethylenic phosphorus compound with a suitable catalyst to form an interpenetrating network of urethane polymer and phosphorus-containing polymer.

Abstract: Filter for removal of ozone from air, e.g. in aircraft cabins, comprising a porous and preferably light weight and thermally stable substrate, particularly an organic polymer such as polybenzimidazole, containing a film or coating of manganese dioxide. The article can be formed by treating the substrate with a permanganate solution under conditions to reduce the permanganate to MnO.sub.2.

Abstract: A process for removing nitrate ions from a contaminated aqueous feed solution containing the same, and also chloride ion, by forcing the solution through a reverse osmosis membrane which permits passage of nitrate ions through the membrane and into the product water while rejecting chloride ion and other anions such as sulfate and bicarbonate, and concentrating such anions in the brine waste water. An anion exchange resin bed charged in the chloride form is placed in the product water during the reverse osmosis operation. Reverse osmosis product water containing nitrate is treated by the anion exchange resin bed to remove the nitrate ions and replace them with chloride ions. The resulting product water is essentially free of the nitrate impurity and a concentrated waste brine stream is obtained containing essentially chloride salts.

Abstract: Production of a device or filter for removal of ozone from air, e.g. in aircraft cabins, by depositing an oxide film containing manganese dioxide on a substrate, particularly a light weight thermally stable substrate, e.g. polybenzimidazole, by treatment with a permanganate solution containing a soluble ceric salt such as ceric ammonium nitrate, and preferably also a dichromate such as sodium dichromate, to form a dense strongly adherent film or coating of MnO.sub.2, ceric oxide and preferably also chromic oxide, on the substrate. A solution containing an oxidizable organic component such as abietic acid can be first applied to the substrate, followed by treatment with the above permanganate solution.

Abstract: Gate latch for fastening a vertically hinged two-way swinging gate, and arranged to be manually released easily from either side of the closed gate to permit swinging movement and opening of the gate in either direction.

Abstract: Carbon fiber reinforced tantalum carbide composites are produced by vacuum infiltration of omni-weave carbon, e.g. three dimensional graphite, yarn preforms with an aqueous saturated solution containing tantalum fluoride and sucrose. Anhydrous ammonia is added under pressure, forming ammonium fluoride, which is removed by vacuum sublimation by application of heat. The resulting preform containing tantalum pentoxide and partially pyrolyzed sucrose is heated at high temperature and reduced pressure to decompose the sucrose to yield active carbon which reacts with the tantalum pentoxide to yield tantalum carbide and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A liquid dye penetrant composition for use in non-destructive testing of objects to locate cracks and other defects or flaws therein, said composition comprising a liquid vehicle, preferably a nonionic surfactant such as an oxyalkylated aliphatic alcohol, and a single phase liquid red azo dye composition consisting essentially of C.sub.5 -C.sub.12 alkyl beta naphthols, particularly C.sub.7 H.sub.15 beta naphthols, and containing a liquid organic viscosity depressant compatible with the azo dyes, such as xylene, as represented by the dye composition marketed as Automate Red "B", and which is substantially free of insolubles. The dye penetrant composition may include an extender, preferably an isoparaffinic solvent consisting essentially of a mixture of isoparaffins having a chain length of about 10 to about 17 carbon atoms, and an average chain length of about 13 to about 14 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A liquid dye penetrant composition for use in nondestructive testing of objects to locate cracks and other defects or flaws therein, said composition comprising (1) a nonionic surfactant, such as an ocyalkylated aliphatic alcohol, (2) a small amount of a dye soluble in the surfactant and (3) a substantial and preferably a major proportion, of a high boiling narrow-cut isoparaffinic solvent consisting essentially of a mixture of isoparaffins having a chain length of about 10 to about 17 carbon atoms, and an average chain length of about 13 to about 14 carbon atoms, as extender. Such composition is applied to the surface of an object containing cracks and other defects, water is applied to the surface of the object to remove excess liquid dye penetrant composition from the surface without removing such penetrant from such cracks and other defects, and with or without a developer, the surface of the object is viewed under suitable lighting conditions, e.g.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the electrodeposition of a coating of an organic compound or polymer on a metal such as aluminum, and the formation of a chemical bond between the metal and the coating. In the method for electrolytically depositing such coating on the metal substrate, e.g. aluminum, the substrate is employed as the anode in a non-aqueous electrolyte containing a coating compound, preferably a carboxyl-substituted aminosilane such as .gamma.-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, which has been reacted with any of various anhydrides such as phthalic, maleic, or succinic anhydride, and electrodepositing a coating on the metal substrate, the organic coating formed being chemically bonded to the substrate, thereby enhancing adhesive bonding to the metal substrate or enhancing spot weldability of such substrate, such coating being strongly bonded to the substrate and being corrosion resistant.